This Is Spinal Tap
“Prepare to crank those amps up to eleven.”
Synopsis
"This Is Spinal Tap" shines a light on the self-contained universe of a metal band struggling to get back on the charts, including everything from its complicated history of ups and downs, gold albums, name changes and undersold concert dates, along with the full host of requisite groupies, promoters, hangers-on and historians, sessions, release events and those special behind-the-scenes moments that keep it all real.
Part of the This Is Spinal Tap Collection
Stream the entire interconnected saga and experience every installment in chronological storyline order.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
41st Anniversary Official TrailerOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2025-04-30
Top Cast
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Christopher Guest
Nigel Tufnel
Michael McKean
David St. Hubbins
Harry Shearer
Derek Smalls
Rob Reiner
Marty DiBergi
June Chadwick
Jeanine Pettibone
Tony Hendra
Ian Faith
Bruno Kirby
Tommy Pischedda
Ed Begley Jr.
John 'Stumpy' Pepys
Paul Benedict
Tucker 'Smitty' Brown
Zane Buzby
Rolling Stone Reporter
Billy Crystal
Morty the Mime
Howard Hesseman
Terry Ladd
Patrick Macnee
Sir Denis Eton-Hogg
Paul Shaffer
Artie Fufkin
Fred Willard
Lt. Hookstratten
R.J. Parnell
Mick Shrimpton
David Kaff
Viv Savage
Fran Drescher
Bobbi Flekman
Release History & Theatrical Window
July 3, 2025
Wide Cinema Exhibition
September 12, 2000
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$2.5M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$6.1M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
2.42x
+$3.6M net gain
Theatrical Status
Profitable
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Rob Reiner
- Screenplay & Story
- Michael McKean, Rob Reiner, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer
- Original Score
- Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Rob Reiner
- Original Title
- This Is Spinal Tap
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English, Japanese
- Runtime
- 1h 22m
- Production Budget
- $2.5M
- Worldwide Gross
- $6.1M
- Production Studios
- Spinal Tap Prod., Embassy Films Associates, Embassy Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Rob Reiner
Michael McKean, Rob Reiner, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer
Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Rob Reiner
Peter Smokler
Kim Secrist, Kent Beyda
Karen Murphy
Department Leadership Roster
Rob Reiner
Director
Harry Shearer
Original Music Composer
Kim Secrist
Editor
Michael McKean
Writer
Christopher Guest
Original Music Composer
Michael McKean
Original Music Composer
Peter Smokler
Director of Photography
Rob Reiner
Writer
Christopher Guest
Writer
Harry Shearer
Writer
Kent Beyda
Editor
Karen Murphy
Producer
Rob Reiner
Original Music Composer
Bryan Jones
Production Design
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.
FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.
Tous publics — Universal audience.
Suitable only for 15 years and over.
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for This Is Spinal Tap.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring This Is Spinal Tap.
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Is Spinal Tap
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is This Is Spinal Tap about?
"This Is Spinal Tap" shines a light on the self-contained universe of a metal band struggling to get back on the charts, including everything from its complicated history of ups and downs, gold albums, name changes and undersold concert dates, along with the full host of requisite groupies, promoters, hangers-on and historians, sessions, release events and those special behind-the-scenes moments that keep it all real.
Who directed This Is Spinal Tap?
This Is Spinal Tap was directed by Rob Reiner.
Who stars in This Is Spinal Tap?
The principal cast of This Is Spinal Tap includes Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner, June Chadwick.
When was This Is Spinal Tap released and how long is it?
This Is Spinal Tap was released in 1984 with a total runtime of 1h 22m.
What was the box office and production budget of This Is Spinal Tap?
This Is Spinal Tap had a reported production budget of $2.5M and grossed $6.1M at the worldwide box office (2.42 return on budget, classified as a commercial hit).
Who composed the musical score for This Is Spinal Tap?
The original motion picture soundtrack for This Is Spinal Tap was composed by Harry Shearer, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Rob Reiner.
What is the age rating and content advisory for This Is Spinal Tap?
This Is Spinal Tap holds official age classifications: AU: M (Mature — Recommended for viewers 15 and older.); CA: R; DE: 12 (FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.); FR: U (Tous publics — Universal audience.); GB: 15 (Suitable only for 15 years and over.); US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).